Slime remover and slime preventing/removing agent containing a clathrate compound

ABSTRACT

A drainage slime remover capable of spreading a solution of a solid over slime generated wall surface portions, comprising a solid containing a microorganism growth retarding substance and a container which has a shape for permitting the installation thereof at the inlet or upper portion of a drain outlet and stores the solid, characterized in that the container has drain flow-in holes having an opening capable of controlling a drain flow-in amount and provided in the upper surface or the upper side portion of the container and solution flow-out holes having an opening capable of controlling a flow-out amount if a solid solution and provided in the bottom or the lower side portion of the container or additionally in the side surface thereof; and a slime preventing/removing agent which can remove slime from portions such as kitchen sinks and bathroom drain outlets where slime is grown by metabolites such as miscellaneous germs and mildews and which can prevent the occurrence of slime safely and for an extended period of time.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S patent application Ser. No.09/763,538, filed May 2, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,528,467 which is a 371of PCT/JP99/04732 filed Sep. 1, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a slime preventing/removing agent whichis installed in a place where metabolites of miscellaneous germs,mildews and the like cause slime and bad smells, such as drain outletsof kitchen sinks, bathrooms and toilet floors, and is useful to removeslime, to prevent the occurrence of slime or to control slime. Thepresent invention also relates to a slime remover and container for it,and a method of removing slime with them. The invention particularlyrelates to a slime remover for a garbage basket in a kitchen sink, of atype that the drain outlet of a household kitchen sink is made widerthan the main drainpipe, a garbage basket is installed which collectsgarbage coming out together with drainage, such as cooking materialwastes, and the remover is discarded when a certain amount of garbage isaccumulated.

2. Background Art

It is known that the main ingredient of slime in the drain outlets ofkitchen sinks and bathrooms is polysaccharides secreted by bacteria,when they use food materials, surface active agents, soaps, human dirtand others as nutrient sources.

It is so far well-known, as slime preventing chemicals for garbagebaskets installed in the drain outlets of household kitchen sinks, thattablets, of which a chlorine-type oxidizing agent, such astrichloroisocyanuric acid, dichloroisocyanuric acid orbromochlorodimethylhydantoin, alone or its mixture with otheringredients is pressure molded, are stored in plastic nets orbasket-shaped containers, and hung by strings or the like in garbagebaskets for preventing the occurrence of slime in the baskets (JapanesePatent Laid-open No. Hei 8-128090). These chemicals have been marketedby trade names, such as “Slime Removing Agents”, for practical use forthe last few years.

Among the chemicals mentioned above, slime removing agents of bleachingpowder type exhibit effects on the prevention of slime and bad smells ofgarbage baskets, thanks to the powerful sterilizing power of the activeingredient of a hypochlorite oxidizing agent, and are therefore usedwidely. Because of their powerful oxidizing power, garbage baskets anddrainpipe materials around them become deteriorated or corroded, andpoisonous chlorine gas is also generated. An amount of chlorine gasgenerated increases particularly when the agent reacts with an acidicsubstance, such as vinegar, causing a dangerous situation. Isocyanuricacid-type chemicals containing trichloroisocyanuric acid or the like asthe active ingredient have safety problems such that their contact withalkaline or sodium-hypochlorite detergents generates gas with irritatingsmells, such as explosive nitrogen trichloride.

To solve the above problems, there have been proposed a variety of“slime removing agents” using germicides other than chlorine-typeoxidizing agents. For example, those known are peroxides such as sodiumpercarbonates, potassium persulfate and sodium perborate (JapanesePatents Laid-open Nos. Hei 8-268818 and 9-31495), iodine-type germicidessuch as povidone iodine (Japanese Patents Laid-open Nos. Hei 9-124423and 9-227317), chemicals composing sulfur compounds, such as sulfite,and chemicals for pasteurization (Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei9-124422), volatile pasteurizing agents such as ortho-phenylphenol,diphenyl, 2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol and hinokitiol (Japanese PatentLaid-open No. Hei 9-206040), inorganic germicides of which silver ions,copper ions or the like are supported by inorganic compounds such aszeolite or silica gel (Japanese Patents Laid-open Nos. Hei 8-157305,9-30915 and 9-194313), and tablets of which industrial germicides or thelike, such as para-chloromethaxylenol, alone or with appropriatedissolution regulators added are pressure molded.

These “slime removing agents” using germicides other than chlorine-typeoxidizing agents are stored in plastic nets or basket-shaped containersand hung by strings or other means in the garbage baskets, similar tothe “slime removing agents” composing chlorine-type oxidizing agents.Some of the above agents are marketed as “slime removing agents” usingno oxidizing agents of chlorine type. They have weaker sterilizing powerthan known “slime removing agents” containing chlorine-type oxidizingagents as the active ingredients do and insufficient preventive effectson slime and bad smells so as not to have become popular yet.

Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 7-184823 has disclosed “slime removingagents” that an antimicrobial agent, such as a mixture of5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, is supported by porous fine inorganicparticles, such as hollow porous silica, and stored in a water-permeablebag, for example, made of nonwoven fabric, or supported by awater-soluble substance, such as protein or polysaccharide, and madefilm. 5-Chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one has strong antimicrobialpower and does not corrode materials or generates gas. However, it iseasily soluble in water, so it has the disadvantage of a shorter shelflife than that of known chemicals. Besides, there is a safety issue whenit is used in households due to severe skin irritation.

In addition to those mentioned above, known are devices having fixingsections to fix containers storing slime removing agents to garbagebasket handles through the joints (Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei9-292), types using garbage netting baskets coated with fluororesin(Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 8-158441), devices jettingelectrolytic, acidic, ionic water from circular pipes fixed aroundnetting baskets (Japanese Publication No. of Utility Model RegistrationHei 6-46069), and germ and mildew preventive devices supplying solutionshaving an action of preventing germs and mildews into the upper parts ofinlet pipes (Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 9-154923).

It is an object of the present invention to provide a drain slimeremover that can be easily installed in the upper part of an inlet pipe,is excellent in safety and handling, and can spread the agent-dissolvedsolution from a container storing a slime preventing/removing agent withappropriate solubility over the wall surface of the drainpipe. It wasfound that a pressure molded product of an antimicrobial agent,particularly a clathrate compound of an antimicrobial agent and amulti-molecular host compound, with a specific base material is notdangerous, is excellent in safety and handling, retains appropriatesolubility and has a slime preventing/removing effect. Thus the presentinvention has been completed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The inventors of the present invention have proposed slimepreventing/removing agents of non-bleaching powder type that a clathratecompound consisting of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and amulti-molecular host compound is pressure molded (Japanese PatentApplication No. Hei 9-50384). The agents have reduced skin irritationand lowered water solubility, thanks to multi-molecular clathratecompounds of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one with host compounds,and are thus excellent slime preventing/removing agents. The inventorsof the present invention have also proposed slime preventing/removingagents prepared by the pressure molding of an organic iodineantimicrobial agent and a solid acid (Japanese Patent Application No.Hei 9-50385). These slime preventing/removing agents have also beenconfirmed to have excellent slime preventing/removing effects.

A chemical containing a chlorine-type oxidizing agent as an activeingredient sterilizes portions including where the chemical solutiondoes not touch, by chlorine gas generated from the agent, even if it isinstalled in the bottom of a garbage basket. Therefore it is possible toprevent slime growth all over the inside of the basket. Contrary to it,a formulation containing an oxidizing agent of non-chlorine type as anactive ingredient, particularly the aforementioned slimepreventing/removing agent of the multi-molecular clathrate compoundcomposing 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one with a host compound ora pressure-molded organic iodine antimicrobial agent, has a limitationof the excellent slime preventing/removing effects only on thesurrounding of the formulation installed. Their effects are particularlyweak on the upper part above the chemical installation site. With theabove findings, various drain slime removers, with which these slimepreventing/removing agents could be installed at the tops or upper partsof drainpipes and solutions of the said agents spread over the wallsurface of the pipes and the like, were made on trial, and slimepreventing/removing effects were studied. The effects of slimeprevention and removal were confirmed to complete the present invention.

The present invention is directed to the following:

-   (1) A drain slime remover capable of spreading a solid-dissolved    solution over slime contaminated wall surfaces, characterized in    that it comprises a solid containing a microorganism growth    retarding substance and a container which has a shape for permitting    its installation at the top or upper part of an inlet pipe and    stores the solid, and that the said container has drainage flow-in    holes having an opening degree capable of controlling the drainage    flow-in amount and provided in the upper surface or the upper side    of the container and solution flow-out holes having an opening    degree capable of controlling the flow-out amount of a    solid-dissolved solution and provided in the bottom or the lower    side, or additionally in the side, of the container.-   (2) A drain slime remover according to (1), in which the container    has a shape of a filter or integrated with a filter that is    installed at the inlet pipe.-   (3) A drain slime remover according to (1) or (2), in which the    solution flow-out holes are provided in the bottom of the container,    and in the sides at the peripheral and central sides of the inlet    pipe.-   (4) A drain slime remover according to (1) to (3), in which the    solution flow-out holes have an opening degree capable of    controlling the maximum amount of water held in the container to    flow out at 0.5 to 500 seconds.-   (5) A drain slime remover according to (1) to (4), in which the    total opening area of the solution flow-out holes is 0.98 to 0.01 of    that of the drainage flow-in holes.-   (6) A drain slime remover according to (1) to (5), in which the    drainage flow-in holes are made at least in the upper surface of the    container and provided with two or more drainage flow-in slits    composing one or more slits along the direction towards the center    of the inlet pipe at appropriate intervals.-   (7) A drain slime remover according to (6), in which the slits of    the slit-shaped drainage flow-in holes are 0.5 to 4 mm wide.-   (8) A drain slime remover according to (6) or (7), in which the    slits are made in the upper surface of the container, reach the side    end of the central part of the container towards the direction of    the inlet pipe center, and further continuously cut up to the upper    part at the center side.-   (9) A drain slime remover according to (1) to (3), in which the    drainage flow-in holes of the container are composed of hydrophilic    nonwoven fabric.-   (10) A drain slime remover according to (1) to (3), in which the    drainage flow-in holes of the container have a netting structure.-   (11) A drain slime remover according to (1) to (10), in which a    chemical of non-bleaching powder type is used as the microorganism    growth retarding substance.-   (12) A drain slime remover according to (11), in which a clathrate    compound composing 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and a    multi-molecular host compound is used as the chemical of    non-bleaching powder type.-   (13) A drain slime remover according to (11), in which an organic    iodine antimicrobial agent is used as the chemical of non-bleaching    powder type.-   (14) A drain slime remover according to (1) to (13), in which two or    more, same or different, solids of small granules less than 30 mm in    the maximum length are used as the solid.-   (15) A method of removing slime in a way that a container, in which    solids containing a microorganism growth retarding substance are    stored, is installed in the upper part of the slime contaminated    wall surface, the solids are dissolved by drainage flowing in from    drainage flow-in holes provided in the upper surface or upper side    of the container, and the solid-dissolved solution flows out from    solution flow-out holes provided in the bottom or the lower side, or    additionally in the side, of the container in order to spread the    solution over the slime contaminated wall surfaces.-   (16) A container for removing slime, capable of spreading a    solid-dissolved solution over slime contaminated wall surfaces,    characterized in that the container has a shape for permitting its    installation at the top or upper part of an inlet pipe, can store    solids containing a microorganism growth retarding substance in the    inside, and has flow-out holes for a solid-dissolved solution in the    bottom or the lower side, or additionally in the side, and drainage    flow-in holes in the upper surface or the upper side, and the total    opening area of the solution flow-out holes is 0.98 to 0.01 of that    of the drainage flow-in holes.-   (17) A container for removing slime, capable of spreading a    solid-dissolved solution over slime contaminated wall surfaces,    characterized in that the container has a shape for permitting its    installation at the top or upper part of an inlet pipe, can store    solids containing a microorganism growth retarding substance in the    inside, and has flow-out holes for a solid-dissolved solution in the    bottom or the lower side, or additionally in the side, and drainage    flow-in holes of slit type in the upper surface or the upper side    with slits being 0.5 to 4 mm wide.-   (18) A slime preventing/removing agent characterized in that an    antimicrobial agent of non-bleaching powder type is pressure molded    together with one or more base materials selected from calcium    hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, tricalcium phosphate anhydride,    magnesium hydrogen phosphate tri-hydrate, magnesium hydrogen    phosphate octa-hydrate, lactose, vanillin, calcium citrate    tetra-hydrate, calcium sulfate dihydrate, calcium sulfate    hemi-hydrate, acetoacetate anilide, acetoacetate-o-toluidide,    acetoacetate-p-toluidide, acetoacetate-o-anicidide, sorbitol,    glycerin monofatty acid esters, alkylsorbitan esters (HLB: 14 or    less) and sucrose fatty acid esters (HLB: 14 or less).-   (19) A slime preventing/removing agent according to (18), in which    the antimicrobial agent of non-bleaching powder type is a clathrate    compound composing an antimicrobial agent and a multi-molecular host    compound.-   (20) A slime preventing/removing agent according to (19), in which    the multi-molecular host compound is one or more compounds selected    from the group consisting of the following compounds:-   tetrakisphenols-   1,1,6,6-tetraphenyl-2,4-hexadiyn-1,6-diol,-   1,6-bis(2-chlorophenyl)1,6-diphenylhexan-2,4-diyn-1,6-diol,-   1,1,4,4-tetraphenyl-2-butyn-1,4-diol,-   2,5-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)hydroquinone,-   1,1-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2-propyn-1-ol,-   1,1,2,2-tetraphenylethan-1,2-diol,-   1,1-bi-2-naphthol,-   9,10-diphenyl-9,10-dihydroxyanthracene,-   1,1,6,6-tetra(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2,4-hexadiyn-1,6-diol,-   9,10-bis(4-methylphenyl)-9,10-dihydroxyanthracene,-   1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane,-   N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(cyclohexyl)-(1,1′-biphenyl)-2,2′-dicarboxyamide,-   4,4′-sulfonylbisphenol,-   4,4′-butylidenebis(3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol),-   2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol),-   4,4′-thiobis(4-chlorophenol),-   2,2′-methylenebis(4-chlorophenol),-   deoxycholic acid,-   cholic acid,-   α, α, α′, α′-tetraphenyl-1,1′-biphenyl-2,2′-dimethanol,-   t-butylhydroquinone,-   2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone,-   granular corn starch,-   1,4-diazabicyclo-(2,2,2)-octane,-   (21) A slime preventing/removing agent according to (19) or (20), in    which the antimicrobial agent of non-bleaching powder type is    5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one.-   (22) A slime preventing/removing agent according to (18), in which    the antimicrobial agent of non-bleaching powder type is an organic    iodine antimicrobial agent.-   (23) A slime preventing/removing agent according to one of (18) to    (22), in which calcium sulfate hemi-hydrate is β-type calcium    sulfate hemi-hydrate.-   (24) A slime preventing/removing agent according to one of (18) to    (23), in which the slime preventing/removing agent contains a C₁₄ to    C₂₄ saturated fatty acid as a dissolution regulator.-   (25) A slime preventing/removing agent according to (24), in which    the C₁₄ to C₂₄ saturated fatty acid is stearic acid or lauric acid.-   (26) A small slime preventing/removing agent according to (18) to    (25), in which the molded product is a tablet and the maximum length    of the tablet is 15 mm or shorter.-   (27) A slime removing method characterized in that a nonwoven fabric    bag or a holed plastic film bag, that contains the small slime    preventing/removing agent according to (26), or a flexible    tape-shaped material carrying the small preventing/removing agents,    is fixed on the surface or upper surface of slime contaminated wall,    and the solution of the slime preventing/removing agent spreads over    the wall.

As for substances to retard the growth of microorganisms, various knowngermicides and antimicrobial agents can be used in the presentinvention. All the common compounds known as mildew proofing agents orantibacterial agents, natural essential oils having antimicrobialactivities and the like can be employed. However, those having wideantimicrobial spectra are preferred. Examples of chlorine chemicalsinclude dichlorodimethylhydantoin, bromochlorodimethylhydantoin, sodiumdichloroisocyanurate, potassium dichloroisocyanurate, hydrates (e.g.,dihydrate) of sodium dichloroisocyanurate, hydrates of potassiumdichloroisocyanurate, trichloroisocyanuric acid and sodium hypochlorite.Examples of non-chlorine chemicals include sodium percarbon, potassiumpersulfate, sodium perborate, ortho-phenylphenol, diphenyl,2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol, para-chloromethaxylenol, n-butylpara-hydroxybenzoate, ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate, methylpara-hydroxybenzoate, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride,chlorohexidine hydrochloride, chlorohexidine gluconate,methylenebisthiocyanate, 2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide, zinc2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide, sodium 2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide,N,N′-hexamethylenebis(4-carbamoyl-1-decylpyridinium bromide),4,41-(tetramethylenediamino)bis(1-decylpyridinium bromide) and2-bromo-2-nitropropan-1,3-diol.

As for microorganism growth retarding substances of the presentinvention, clathrate compounds composing mildew proofing agents orantibacterial agents with multi-molecular host compounds can beadvantageously used. When the clathrate compounds are used, examples ofmildew proofing agents or antibacterial agents include5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one,4,5-dichloro-3-n-octyl-isothiazolin-3-one, 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one,2-methoxycarbonylbenzimidazole,2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-4-methanesulfonylpyridine,2-thiocyanomethybenzothiazole, 2,2-dithio-bis-(pyridin-1-oxide),3,3,4,4-tetrahydrothiophene-1,1-dioxide,4,5-dichloro-1,2-dithiolan-3-one, 5-chloro-4-phenyl-1,2-dithiolan-3-one,N-methylpyrolidone, phenyl-(2-cyano-2-chlorovinyl)sulfone,methylenebisthiocyanate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol,2,2-dibromo-2-ethanol, 2-bromo-4′-hydroxyacetophenone, dibromonitrilepropionamide and 2-bromo-2-bromomethylglutarnitrile, and examples ofnatural essential oils include cineol, hinokitiol, menthol, terpineol,borneol, nopol, citral, citronellal, citronellol, geraniol, linalool,dimethyloctanol and thymol.

The multi-molecular host compound refers to a compound forming acrystalline complex (clathrate compound) in the form that two or morehost compounds surround one molecule of a guest antimicrobial agent.There are no particular restrictions if a compound has the aboveproperties. Examples include tetrakisphenols,1,1,6,6-tetraphenyl-2,4-hexadiyn-1,6-diol,1,6-bis(2-chlorophenyl)1,6-diphenylhexan-2,4-diyn-1,6-diol,1,1,4,4-tetraphenyl-2-butyn-1,4-diol,2,5-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)hydroquinone,1,1-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2-propyn-1-ol,1,1,2,2-tetraphenylethan-1,2-diol, 1,1-bi-2-naphthol,9,10-diphenyl-9,10-dihydroxyanthracene,1,1,6,6-tetra(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2,4-hexadiyn-1,6-diol,9,10-bis(4-methylphenyl)-9,10-dihydroxyanthracene,1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane,N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(cyclohexyl)-(1,1′-biphenyl)-2,2′-dicarboxyamide,4,4′-sulfonylbisphenol, 4,4′-butylidenebis(3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol),2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol),4,4′-thiobis(4-chlorophenol), 2,2′-methylenebis(4-chlorophenol),deoxycholic acid, cholic acid,α,α,α′,α′-tetraphenyl-1,1′-biphenyl-2,21-dimethanol,t-butylhydroquinone, 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, granular corn starchand 1,4-diazabicyclo-(2,2,2)-octane.

Actual examples of the above tetrakisphenols includetetrakis(hydroxyphenyl) alkanes such as1,1,2,2-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane,1,1,2,2-tetrakis(3-fluoro-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane,1,1,2,2-tetrakis(3-chloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane,1,1,2,2-tetrakis(3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane,1,1,2,2-tetrakis(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane,1,1,2,2-tetrakis(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane,1,1,3,3-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,1,1,3,3-tetrakis(3-fluoro-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,1,1,3,3-tetrakis(3-chloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,1,1,3,3-tetrakis(3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,1,1,3,3-tetrakis(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,1,1,3,3-tetrakis(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,1,1,4,4-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)butane,1,1,4,4-tetrakis(3-fluoro-4-hydroxyphenyl)butane,1,1,4,4-tetrakis(3-chloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)butane,1,1,4,4-tetrakis(3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)butane,1,1,4,4-tetrakis(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)butane,1,1,4,4-tetrakis(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)butane,1,1,5,5-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)pentane,1,1,5,5-tetrakis(3-fluoro-4-hydroxyphenyl)pentane,1,1,5,5-tetrakis(3-chloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)pentane,1,1,5,5-tetrakis(3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)pentane,1,1,5,5-tetrakis(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)pentane and1,1,5,5-tetrakis(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)pentane.

Organic iodine antimicrobial agents having wider antimicrobial spectrathan other antimicrobial agents and being safe on human bodies such asthose used for commercially available gargles can be advantageously usedas microorganism growth retarding substances in the present invention.In this case, the organic iodine antimicrobial agents are preferablysolid, although there are no particular restrictions on them. Theirexamples include 2,3,3-triiodoallyl alcohols, 2,3,3-triiodoallyl ethers,2,3,3-triiodoallylazoles, 3-iodo-2-propagylbutylcarbamic acid,4-chlorophenyl(3-iodopropagyl)formal, iodopropagylazoles,diiodo-para-trisulfone, povidone iodine, benzyliodine acetate andpara-nitrobenzyliodine acetate. They are used alone or a mixture of twoor more.

When using the aforementioned various known germicides, antimicrobialagents, mildew proofing agents or the like as microorganism growthretarding substances, or known slime preventing/removing agentscontaining them, or the said clathrate compounds or organic iodineantimicrobial agents, they may be mixed with appropriate blendingsubstances and molded to proper sizes by known methods such as pressuremolding, heat-melt mix molding or knead-extrusion molding in order toprevent active ingredients from flowing out more than required oncontacting drainage and to dissolve the ingredients into the drainage atappropriate rates.

Examples of blending substances for pressure molding include a varietyof known excipients, dissolution regulators, binders, glazing agents,surface active agents and corrosion inhibitors.

Examples of the excipients, binders and dissolution regulators includevarious organic acids such as fumaric acid, benzoic acid, adipic acid,succinic acid, sulfamic acid, boric acid, dl-malic acid, citric acid,ascorbic acid, malonic acid and glycolic acid; inorganic acids, lacticacid, glucose, various starches such as corn starch, crystallinecellulose, powder cellulose, sodium chloride, magnesium sulfate,potassium sulfate, calcium sulfate, calcium hydrogen phosphate,synthetic aluminum silicate, magnesium trisilicate, methyl cellulose,ethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulosesodium, carboxymethyl cellulose calcium, hydroxypropyl cellulose,polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrolidone, sodium alginate, gum arabic(powder), sucrose fatty acid esters and C₁₄ to C₂₄ saturated fattyacids. These excipients, binders and dissolution regulators may be addedat a ratio of 1 to 99% by weight to the total solid weight.

Examples of glazing agents include magnesium stearate, calcium stearate,sodium stearate, sodium benzoate, ortho-boric acid, silica, talc andwaxes. These glazing agents may be used at a ratio of 0.01 to 1% byweight to the total solid weight.

Examples of surface active agents include alkylalkanolamides, sodiumdialkylsulfosuccinates and sodium lauryl sulfate. These surface activeagents may be used at a ratio of 0.5 to 10% by weight to the total solidweight.

Examples of corrosion inhibitors include alkylthiourea compounds andtriazole compounds. The use of these inhibitors can control thecorrosion of metal portions of pipes and others.

Blending substances for heat-melt mix molding or knead-extrusion moldingare preferably solids having melting points between 40 and 100° C. Theirexamples include various water-soluble polymers such as polyoxyethyleneand surface active agents such as block polymers of polyoxyethylene andpolyoxypropylene, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ethers, polyehtyleneglycol fatty acid esters, glycerin fatty acid esters and polyoxyethylenealkylethers.

Particularly preferred slime preventing/removing agents are the pressuremolded products of antimicrobial agents of non-bleaching powder typewith specific base materials.

Any antimicrobial agent of non-bleaching powder type can be used in thepresent invention, if it does not react with acidic substances or thelike to generate chlorine gas when used. Their examples include commoncompounds known as mildew proofing agents or antimicrobial agents andnatural essential oils known to have antimicrobial activities.

Actual examples of mildew proofing agents or antimicrobial agentsinclude 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one,2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one,4,5-dichloro-3-n-octyl-isothiazolin-3-one, 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one,2-methoxycarbonylbenzimidazole,2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-4-methanesulfonylpyridine,2-thiocyanomethybenzothiazole, 2,2-dithio-bis-(pyridin-1-oxide),3,3,4,4-tetrahydrothiophene-1,1-dioxide,4,5-dichloro-1,2-dithiolan-3-one, 5-chloro-4-phenyl-1,2-dithiolan-3-one,N-methylpyrolidone, phenyl-(2-cyano-2-chlorovinyl)sulfone,methylenebisthiocyanate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol,2,2-dibromo-2-ethanol, 2-bromo-4′-hydroxyacetophenone, dibromonitrilepropionamide, 2-bromo-2-bromomethylglutarnitrile, sodium percarbonate,potassium persulfate, sodium perborate, ortho-phenylphenol, diphenyl,2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol, para-chloromethaxylenol, n-butylpara-hydroxybenzoate, ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate, methylpara-hydroxybenzoate, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride,chlorohexidine hydrochloride, chlorohexidine gluconate,2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide, zinc salts of 2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide, sodium2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide, N,N′-hexamethylenebis(4-carbamoyl-1-decylpyridinium bromide) and4,4′-(tetramethylenediamino)bis(1-decylpyridinium bromide).

Examples of natural essential oils include cineol, hinokitiol, menthol,terpineol, borneol, nopol, citral, citronellal, citronellol, geraniol,linalool, dimethyloctanol and thymol.

Iodine antimicrobial agents are also exemplified as the antimicrobialagents of non-bleaching powder type in the present invention. Of them,solids are particularly preferred. Their examples include2,3,3-triiodoallyl alcohols, 2,3,3-triiodoallyl ethers,2,3,3-triiodoallylazoles, 3-iodo-2-propagylbutylcarbamic acid,4-chlorophenyl(3-iodopropagyl)formal, iodopropagylazoles,diiodo-para-trisulfone, popidone iodine, benzyliodine acetate andpara-nitrobenzyliodine acetate.

These antimicrobial agents of non-bleaching powder type may be usedalone or a mixture of two or more. Antimicrobial agents of non-bleachingpowder type that are made into clathrate compounds with theaforementioned multi-molecular host compounds are also preferably used.

Clathrate compounds are easily prepared by reacting guest antimicrobialagents of non-bleaching powder type with host compounds with stirringfor several minutes to several hours at a temperature between ordinarytemperature and 100□, and, if required, in the presence of water ororganic solvents.

Base materials used together with antimicrobial agents of non-bleachingpowder type in the present invention are selected from calcium hydrogenphosphate dihydrate, tricalcium phosphate anhydride, magnesium hydrogenphosphate tri-hydrate, magnesium hydrogen phosphate octa-hydrate,lactose, vanillin, calcium citrate tetra-hydrate, calcium sulfatedihydrate, calcium sulfate hemi-hydrate, acetoacetate anilide,acetoacetate-o-toluidide, acetoacetate-p-toluidide,acetoacetate-o-anicidide, sorbitol, alkylsorbitan esters (HLB: 14 orless), nonionic surface active agents such as glycerin monofatty acidesters, and sucrose fatty acid esters (HLB: 14 or less). They may beused alone or a mixture of two or more. It is desirable to decide bytaking into consideration effects on tabletability when pressuremolding, solubility in water, disintegration and stability ofantimicrobial agents.

Preferred base materials are neutral substances that do not increasechlorine gas generation when mixed with commercially availabledetergents containing hypochlorites. Sorbitol, lactose,acetoacetate-o-toluidide and calcium sulfate hydrates are particularlypreferred when clathrate compounds are used as antimicrobial agents ofnon-bleaching powder type. Furthermore, calcium sulfate hemi-hydratesare preferred, when calcium sulfate is used as a base material, from theviewpoint of easy control of moldability and solubility. Among calciumsulfate hemi-hydrates, the β type prepared by burning at ordinarypressure is more preferred than the α type produced by burning underpressure, in point of hardly causing the deformation of molded productsdue to absorbing water. When the β-type calcium sulfate hemi-hydrate isused, the combined use with lactose is more preferred in respect tocontrol of the said moldability and solubility.

A mixing ratio between an antimicrobial agent of non-bleaching powdertype and a base material in the present invention can change arbitrarilyin the range between 1 to 99 parts by weight of an antimicrobial agentof non-bleaching powder type and 99 to 1 part by weight of a basematerial, as using conditions vary. It is preferably 5 to 20 parts byweight of an antimicrobial agent of non-bleaching powder type and 95 to80 parts by weight of a base material. When a clathrate compound is usedas an antimicrobial agent of non-bleaching powder type, a preferredmixing ratio is 2 to 30 parts by weight of the said clathrate compoundand 98 to 70 parts by weight of a base material.

When an antimicrobial agent of non-bleaching powder type and a basematerial are pressure molded, pressure molding is made easy by adding,as required, a glazing agent such as calcium stearate, magnesiumstearate, sodium stearate, sodium benzoate or ortho-boric acid at aratio of 0.1 to 5% by weight to the total weight of the slimepreventing/removing agent, and a binder such as hydroxypropyl cellulose,sodium alginate, polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinyl pyrolidone at a ratio of1 to 15% by weight to the total weight of the slime preventing/removingagent.

It is possible to add a saturated C₁₄ to C₂₄ fatty acid, such as stearicacid, in order to improve the stability (swelling and disintegrationprevention) of the agent in water as well as giving glazability whenmolding. Particularly when calcium sulfate is used as a base material,it is preferable to add a saturated C₁₄ to C₂₄ fatty acid as adissolution regulator. A saturated C₁₄ to C₂₄ fatty acid is added at aratio of 1 to 10% by weight to the total weight of the slimepreventing/removing agent. It is possible to add more than 10% byweight. However, the result is a slow dissolving rate. Actual examplesof C₁₄ to C₂₄ saturated fatty acids include stearic acid and lauricacid. Metal salts of the above saturated C₁₄ to C₂₄ fatty acids used asglazing agents, such as calcium stearate, are not suitable to use asdissolution regulators, because of possible damage to the moldability ifthey are used at a ratio of more than 1% by weight to the total weightof the slime preventing/removing agent. Further, a corrosion inhibitor,such as alkylthioureas or triazoles, may be added, depending onapplications, to control the corrosion of metal portions of pipes andthe like. An addition of diatomaceous earth, sulfuric acid clay or thelike gives an antistatic effect when molding.

An active ingredient can be spread widely over slime contaminatedsurfaces by adding various surface active agents. A component giving abitter taste, if added, may prevent infants from taking in the agentaccidentally. It is also possible to control bad smells of kitchengarbage or inlet pipes by adding a deodorant or aromatic.

A solid can take any shape, such as spherical, tablet, cylindrical,rectangular parallelopiped, pyramidal or doughnut-shape, and any size ifit can be stored in a container. To use a solid, for example, onecylindrical or doughnut-shaped solid may be used, fitting to the shapeof the solid storage of a container. A large number of small granulesmay be also used. In case a large quantity of small granules are used,it is possible to use granules of the same kind as well as smallgranular solids of two or more different types, such as chemicalscontaining different blending ingredients or having differentsolubilities. Shapes, such as disk, square with corners removed, oval,flat spherical or spherical, are preferably selected because of easypressure molding and easy installation in narrow places. Small solids of30 mm or less, preferably 20 mm or less, and particularly preferably 15mm or less, in the maximum length are effective for spraying ahomogeneous solution and adjusting solubility. The present inventioncovers, for convenience, solids of forms that prevent the activeingredient from flowing out more than required when it contacts withdrainage and that let the active ingredient dissolve in the contacteddrainage at an appropriate rate, such that a slime preventing/removingagent or the like is stored in a water-permeable bag, tube or the like,made of nonwoven fabric, paper, film or the like, that a slimepreventing/removing agent or the like is supported by such a material assponge or foamed plastic, and that a liquid slime preventing/removingagent or the like is impregnated in a porous mineral and the like.

In the present invention, a container for the storage of solidscontaining a microorganism growth retarding substance can take anyshape, if it has a shape for permitting its installation at the top orupper part of an inlet pipe, has drainage flow-in holes having anopening degree capable of controlling a drainage flow-in amount andprovided in the upper surface or the upper side of the container, hassolution flow-out holes having an opening degree capable of controllinga flow-out amount of a solid-dissolved solution and provided in thebottom or the lower side, or additionally in the side surface, of thecontainer, and can spread the solid-dissolved solution over slimecontaminated wall surfaces. Examples of shapes capable of beinginstalled at the top or the upper part of an inlet pipe include a shapecomposing a rim formed around the periphery of a ring-shaped containermain body, a shape with more than one holder extended from the containermain body horizontally, or a shape having more than one holder fixedvertically on the container main body, as well as a filter shape such asa radially cut rubber filter installed at the drain outlet of a kitchensink or a ring-shaped container capable of setting and fixing to the topor bottom of such a rubber filter with help of the elastic force of anelastic body such as rubber. Containers of this type are used in thecondition of being fixed to the filter. It is preferable that such arubber filter or the like has notches at places corresponding to thedrainage flow-in holes or solution flow-out holes provided in acontainer of this type. In case a container storing a chemical isseparated from a filter, such as those mentioned above, it is possibleto discard the container only. The present invention also coversintegrated types where a container storing solids is attached to anoriginal filter.

To be able to spread a solid-dissolved solution over slime contaminatedwall surfaces, it is possible to provide solution flow-out holes in thelower side of the container main body, and also to fix distributionpipes, distribution troughs, pointed distribution fine rods or the like,to the solution flow-out holes or near them.

A solid, if it is of small granules, may be put in from the drainageflow-in holes. When a solid is stored in a container, a container havinga structure able to be divided into two and combined with known jointmaterials, or having an opening for putting in solids and a filter inpart of the container, can be used. It is possible to use a containerwith joint materials integrated to the main body, as mentioned above, tomake it possible to install the container at the top or the upper partof an inlet pipe. If there is a stopper or a filter in an inlet pipe ora garbage basket, a container of shape similar to the stopper or filtercan be preferably used. Examples of filter shapes include a variety ofcommercially available filters set in the drain outlets of kitchens,bathrooms and others, such as radially cut rubber filters, plasticfilters with garbage flow-in openings at the center of the filter,filters with slit-type garbage collectors that can open and close, andsmall plate-shaped filters having metal nets or small holes to preventgarbage from coming in and to let only drainage flow in. A container canbe simply installed, as it is, if it is a filter to be set in thekitchen sink drain outlet.

Various known materials, such as plastics, rubber and metal, can be usedfor the containers. A variety of plastics are preferably used from theviewpoint of cost, processing and other conditions. In case a containerconsists of a filter to be set in a kitchen sink drain outlet, a plasticfilter, for example, a colored plastic filter, can be used instead ofconventional rubber filters.

Drainage flow-in holes are provided in the upper surface or the upperside of a container and arranged to have an opening degree capable ofcontrolling a drainage flow-in amount, that is, when drainage is in alarge quantity, some of the drainage flow into the solid storage throughthe drainage flow-in holes, but most of it flows out as it is withoutpassing through the drainage flow-in holes. Actual examples includethose having one or more adjusted openings in the upper surface or theupper side of a container, and those provided with drainage flow-inholes in the base of a trough adjusted so as to guide only some of thedrainage into the drainage flow-in holes. With such drainage flow-inholes provided, a flow-in amount is controlled to prevent asolid-dissolved solution from flowing backward through the drainageflow-in holes, even if water is in a large quantity.

Solution flow-out holes are provided in the bottom or the lower side, oradditionally in the side, of the container so as to be able to spread asolid-dissolved solution over slime contaminated wall surfaces. Theiractual examples include more than one solution flow-out hole having acontrolled opening degree and provided along the top of an inlet oralong the upper fringe of a garbage basket, solution flow-out holesprovided in the inner side of a filter, such as radially cut rubberfilter, to diffuse the solution over the front and back surfaces of therubber filter, solution flow-out holes having a controlled openingdegree and are provided at the base ends of more than one distributionpipe (trough) whose tips can touch the upper part of a drainpipe orgarbage basket, and holes provided with pointed distribution fine rodsthat can touch the upper part of a garbage basket, in the vicinity ofthe solution flow-out holes, instead of distribution pipes (troughs).

It is particularly preferable to provide solution flow-out holes in thebottom of a container and sides at the peripheral and central sides sothat a solution can be diffused over the surrounding area of an inletpipe, a garbage basket and the front and back surfaces of a rubberfilter.

The solution flow-out holes having the controlled opening degree includethose having a total opening area so that the maximum amount of waterheld in a container flows out at a rate of 0.5 to 500 seconds,preferably 2 to 100 seconds, and more preferably 5 to 50 seconds. Ifsolution flow-out holes have a total opening area that the maximumamount of water in a container flows out at faster than 0.5 seconds, thechemical-dissolved solution flows out while a small volume of drainageis still flowing and water used does not finish draining down. As aresult, the solution is diluted with water, the chemical staying in theslime contaminated area becomes low in concentration so as to make theslime preventing/removing effect weak, and the chemical is wastedbecause the chemical-dissolved solution flows down together with thedrainage while water is draining. On the other hand, if solutionflow-out holes have a total opening area that a flowing-out time exceeds500 seconds, the flow-out holes become too small in area, and problems,such as the blockage of flow-out holes with garbage or chemicalfragments in the draining water, are likely to occur. In the case ofless than 2 seconds or exceeding 100 seconds, the tendencies occurringin the above cases of shorter than 0.5 seconds or longer than 500seconds become very light.

It is possible to prevent and remove slime more efficiently if the totalopening area of solution flow-out holes is 0.98 to 0.01, preferably 0.95to 0.1, of that of drainage flow-in holes. This is because asolid-dissolved solution flows out in a small amount while water isdraining even if a drainage amount is large, and a solution of aneffective concentration flows out after all water drains down. In casethe total opening area of solution flow-out holes exceeds 0.98 of thatof drainage flow-in holes, slime preventing/removing effects becomeinsufficient. This is because a small amount of water flows into acontainer if drainage is flowing down in a short time and it becomesdifficult to dissolve a chemical sufficiently and to secure a sufficientamount of the solution to spread over the wall surfaces. If the totalopening area of solution flow-out holes is less than 0.01 of that ofdrainage flow-in holes, the openings of the drainage flow-in holesbecomes too wide. As a result, a drainage flow-in rate is too fast andthe solution flows backward from the drainage flow-in holes, which mayresult in wasteful flowing-out of the active ingredient together withdraining water or problems such as garbage flowing into the container.

Holes for drainage flowing in or a solution flowing out may take anyshape as far as drainage can flow in and a solution can flow out, suchas circular, oval, rectangular, star, slit or ring. It is preferable toshape the drainage flow-in holes in slits, numerous small holes,netting, or the like, which are effective to prevent garbage fromflowing in. In this case, the slit width or the area of small holes isadjusted in a range that only a small amount of garbage flows in andwater flowing in is not blocked due to surface tension. It is possibleto cover the openings with a material letting water pass through, suchas nonwoven fabric, if it lets drainage flow in. In this case, the totalopening area of drainage flow-in holes is considered to be an openingarea for an equivalent amount of water flowing through.

Solution flow-out holes are preferably of a slit shape cut from thebottom to the lower side of a container, for the prevention of blockagewith flowing-in garbage and the like and advantages in molding. Thiskind of shape prevents the solution flow-out holes from being completelyblocked even if garbage and the like accumulate in the bottom and achemical from dissolving extremely quickly due to water staying in thecontainer all the time.

If drainage flow-in holes are circular or square, though provided in theupper surface or the upper side of a container, they should be 4 mm ormore in diameter or width in order to overcome the water surface tensionfor guiding drainage into the container smoothly. If holes of this sizeare made in a container, however, solid garbage, such as food scraps,flows into the container together with draining water in the case ofkitchen drain outlets. This results in contaminating the inside of thecontainer, preventing contact between a solid chemical and water, orblocking the drain flow-out holes. Therefore the drainage flow-in holesof the containers of the present invention have a structure to controlgarbage flowing in. The structures to control garbage flowing in have(1) a shape allowing to guide drainage into the container smoothly andto prevent garbage from flowing into the container, (2) flow-in holescomposing hydrophilic nonwoven fabric, and (3) netting flow-in holes.One of these or a combination of these can control garbage flowing intothe container.

The shape which guides draining water into the container smoothly andprevents garbage from flowing into the container refers to slit-shapeddrainage holes. It is characterized in that drainage flow-in holes areprovided at least in the upper surface of the container, and have morethan one drainage flow-in slit consisting of one or more slits along thedirection to the center of the inlet pipe at appropriate intervals. Theslits are 0.5 to 4 mm, further 0.5 to 3 mm, and particularly 1 to 2 mm,wide. Slits of 0.5 mm or wider can let water flow into the container, asthe balance of water surface tension is broken, differing from circularholes. The flowing in of garbage can be prevented as much as possible ifthe slits are 4 mm or narrower, preferably 3 mm or narrower.

If slits are provided along the direction towards the center of theinlet pipe from the periphery where drainage flows into the inlet pipe,even narrow slits can let drainage flow into the container. It ispreferable to extend the slits in the upper surface to the side end ofthe central side of the upper surface of the container and further toprovide them continuously to the upper side of the central side. Thelength of the slits is longer than the width, and is arbitrarilyselected. It is preferable to be 2 mm or longer, preferably 5 mm orlonger, in the total length of the upper and side portions. Slits may befurther extended to the side bottom or to the bottom of the container,being used also as solution flow-out holes.

Materials used for containers with flow-in holes can be made hydrophilicby using hydrophilic plastic materials for the containers, usingmaterials with hydrophilic surface active agents kneaded into containerplastics, or applying hydrophilic coating agents or paints onto thesurfaces of the containers. Then, the influence of water surface tensionis made small. It is therefore possible to let water flow from thedrainage flow-in holes of the container into the inside of the containermore smoothly and to prevent oils contained in drainage from attachingto the container as well.

It is possible to make drainage flow-in holes of the container that, ifcomposed of hydrophilic nonwoven fabric, let only water infiltrate intothe fabric and flow into the container to dissolve a chemical withoutgarbage flowing into it. To do so, the size of the flow-in holes can bearbitrarily chosen in consideration of the infiltration through thenonwoven fabric.

When the flow-in holes of the container have a netting structure, it ispossible to let only water flow into the container and dissolve achemical without garbage flowing into it. To do so, the sizes of theflow-in holes and the netting meshes may be arbitrarily set inconsideration of the permeability.

In the present invention, a slime contaminated wall surface refers to anextent having an area, such as plane or curved surface, on which slimeis generated, such as the inner wall surface of drainpipes of kitchensinks, bathrooms and toilet floors, the front and back surfaces ofrubber filters at the drain outlets of kitchen sinks, and sides andbottom of garbage baskets installed under the filters or placed inkitchen sinks.

When a small slime preventing/removing agent of the present inventioncomposing tablets of 30 mm or less, preferably 20 mm or less, and morepreferably 15 mm or less, in the maximum length is used, a solution canbe spread over the slime contaminated surfaces, using a container of thepresent invention. If slime surfaces are not those of inlet pipes butthose of triangular baskets (garbage baskets which are placed in kitchensinks) or local areas, it is possible to prevent and remove slime withsmall tablets that are placed in a container composing a bag made ofnonwoven fabric, plastic film with fine holes, or the like, and are setat the target place to remove slime by various known fixing means, suchas threads, strings, metal lines, plastic stoppers or adhesive tapes.

In case the above small tablets are used, it is possible to attach aflexible tape-shaped material carrying the said preventing/removingagent, to the upper part of slime contaminated wall surfaces and tospread the agent-dissolved solution over the wall surfaces.

A flexible tape-shaped material of the present invention can be anymaterial if it can carry a slim preventing/removing agent containing amicroorganism growth retarding substance and spread the solution of theagent over slime contaminated wall surfaces, when adhered, for example,to the upper part of the wall surface of a garbage basket in the sink.

A material for the flexible tape-shaped material can be any material, ifit is flexible and at least one side lets water pass through or iswater-permeable. Examples of materials having ability to let water passthrough or being water-permeable include sponge, foamed plastics,nonwoven fabric, paper and water-permeable film, or combinations ofthese. A transparent, water-permeable or non-permeable, material, suchas a transparent plastic, can be used at least on one side so that theremaining amount of the chemical can be checked visually.

A flexible tape-shaped material can take any structure as far as it cansupport a slime preventing/removing agent of shape or form, such aspowder, fine granule, granule, sphere, tablet, gel or liquid, and thesupported agent is dissolved by drainage. For example, theagent-dissolved solution can flow out, when the material is attached tosuch a place as the upper part of the wall surface of a garbage basket.It is exemplified that a slime preventing/removing agent of tablet oranother form is put between tape-shaped nonwoven fabrics, papers,water-permeable films or the like, a slime preventing/removing agent ofgranular or another shape is stored in a bag made of nonwoven fabric,paper, water-permeable film or the like, completely or partly, and aliquid slime preventing/removing agent is impregnated in such a materialas sponge or foamed plastic.

Any means is applicable to attach a flexible tape-shaped material to theupper part of the slime contaminated wall surface, as far as it canretain the material at the upper part of the slime contaminated wallsurface, such as the upper part of the wall surface of a garbage basketplaced in a kitchen sink. The means is roughly grouped into two: toattach to the upper part or the like of the outer wall surface of agarbage basket and to attach to the upper part or the like of the innerwall surface of a garbage basket. The latter means is exemplified by theuse of a flexible tape-shaped material itself or a flexible materialhaving restitutive force in part of it in order to press the material toattach to the upper part of the inner wall, more than one protrusionfixed to the surface of a flexible tape-shaped material in order to pushthem into the meshes of a garbage basket for fixing the material to theupper part of the inner wall, and a proper number of inverted L-shapedbrackets installed along the upper edge of a flexible tape-shapedmaterial for hooking up on the edge of the garbage basket.

The means to attach on the upper part of the outer wall surface of agarbage basket is further divided roughly into that integrated withflexible tape-shaped materials and that not integrated. Examples of thelatter include a fixing material having pins at the both ends,preferably consisting of a fixing material with pins at the two ends ofan elastic body and a flexible tape-shaped material having pin holes atthe two longitudinal ends. The pins at the ends of the fixing materialare pushed into the pin holes at the longitudinal ends of a flexibletape-shaped material. The ends of the two materials are put together soas to be able to attach the flexible tape-shaped material at the upperpart of the outer wall surface of a garbage basket. Fixing materials ofthis type are advantageously used in particular when applied to portionsof slime to be removed with different peripheral lengths, such asgarbage baskets of various outer sizes placed in kitchen sinks. In otherwords, a flexible tape-shaped material provided in a spiral form andwith pin holes made at proper intervals in the longitudinal direction iscut to fit the peripheral length of the garbage basket and the pins atthe ends of the said fixing material are pushed into the pin holeslocated near the cut ends for connecting both ends. Thus the flexibletape-shaped material can be attached and retained at the upper part ofthe wall surface of a garbage basket.

Examples of those integrated with flexible tape-shaped materials includefixing means provided at least at the two longitudinal ends of aflexible tape-shaped material, such as a material with pins at onelongitudinal end and pin holes at the other end for connecting the twolongitudinal ends of the tape-shaped material, a material with anadhesive tape on each longitudinal end, a material with a Magic Tape(Trade name) on each longitudinal end, and a material with engagingparts fixed at the two longitudinal ends, such as an engaging convexityhaving a T shape and provided at one longitudinal end and an engagingdent having a T shape and provided at the other longitudinal end. Aflexible tape-shaped material with Magic Tape (Trade name) provided oneach surface of the two longitudinal ends can apply on slime removingportions of different peripheral lengths, such as garbage baskets ofvarious outer sizes placed in kitchen sinks. In this case, the flexibletape-shaped material is cut to a required length and the cut ends arepressed to adhere so that the flexible tape-shaped material can be heldat the upper part of garbage baskets of various sizes.

When inlet pipes are those of bathrooms, a container storing solids maybe preferably used if it is provided with drainage guiding openings tomake water contact the solids, flow-out openings for solutions ofchemicals dissolved in drainage and fixings capable of fixing thestoring container at least to one of the front and back sides of a draingrill at the bathroom drain outlet, and has a flat portion capable ofadhering to the drain grill at the drain outlets, particularly ifdrainage guiding openings are provided at least in the side walls of thestoring container.

The slime removers of the present invention, particularly those appliedto rubber filters at the drain outlets of kitchen sinks or to garbagebaskets set under them, are concretely described. The technical scope ofthe present invention is not, however, limited to these descriptions.

FIG. 1 shows a Slime Remover 1 of the present invention, that consistsof ring-shaped Container Main Body 2 fitted to a shape of an inlet pipeor a garbage basket and four pieces of Holder 3 to sit Container MainBody 2 at the upper part of the inlet pipe or basket. It has two or morerectangular Drainage Flow-in Holes 4 in the mildly angled upper surfaceof Container Main Body 2, and two or more circular Solution Flow-outHoles 5 in the lower side of Container Main Body 2. Container Main Body2, though not illustrated, is constructed so that the upper and lowermain bodies can be vertically separated into two. The space between theupper and lower main bodies forms a storage capable of storing a solidcontaining a microorganism growth retarding substance (hereinafterreferred to as “chemical”).

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-section when the above Slime Remover 1 withmore than one small spherical piece of Chemical 6 is applied to GarbageBasket 9 under Rubber Filter 8 at Kitchen Sink Drain Outlet 7. RubberFilter 8 usually has drainage flow-out holes, such as shown in FIG. 3.When drainage is in a large volume, most of it flows out from Center 10and drains down as it is. Some of it flow down through Circular Holes 11provided in the peripheral portion. Some of the flowing drainage reachesthe chemical storage through Drainage Flow-in Holes 4 and dissolvesChemical 6. The chemical-dissolved solution flows out from SolutionFlow-out Holes 5 about when no more water drains down, flows down alongthe wall of Garbage Basket 9, and diffuses over the bottom surface onreaching the bottom so as to efficiently remove slime. In the case ofinsufficient slime removal on the bottom surface of Garbage Basket 9, itis possible to make a small number of solution flow-out holes in thebottom of the inner side of Container Main Body 2.

FIG. 4 shows a Slime Remover 1 of the same type as that shown in FIG. 1.This Slime Remover 1 has Rim 12 to sit Container Main Body 2 at theupper part of an inlet pipe or garbage basket. Two or more DrainageFlow-in Holes 4 are circular in shape. More than one Solution Flow-outHole 5 have a rectangular shape. A chemical to be stored can be of smallspherical shape. Beads can also be used so as not to move around in thestorage. In addition, it may be a ring-shaped one fitted to the shape ofthe storage container.

A Slime Remover 1 of the present invention, shown in FIG. 5, is composedof Container Main Body 2 with Chemical Storage 13 provided in part ofthe ring fitted to the shape of an inlet pipe or garbage basket and fourpieces of Holder 3 to sit Container Main body 2 at the upper part of theinlet pipe or garbage basket. Drainage Flow-in Hole 4 consisting of morethan one slit is provided in the upper surface of Container Main Body 2.Two or more circular Solution Flow-out Holes 5 are in the lower side ofContainer Main Body 2. The slit portion of Drainage Flow-in Hole 4,though not illustrated, is designed to be a lid for storing a chemical.From this hole, 1 to 3 pieces of relatively big Chemical 6, for example,cylindrical, can be inserted. FIG. 6 shows a vertical cross-section whenthis Slime Remover 1 is applied to Garbage Basket 9 under Rubber Filter8 at Kitchen Sink Drain Outlet 7.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show Slime Removers 1 of the present invention that canapply to inlet pipes and garbage baskets of various diameters. TheseSlime Removers 1 are composed of Container Main Body 2 of shape of ringor the like that is smaller than the diameters of inlet pipes or garbagebaskets, and, for example, 4 pieces of Holder Trough 14 that sitContainer Main Body 2 at the upper part of an inlet pipe or garbagebasket and work as drainage guiding troughs as well, and two or moreDistribution Pipes 15 (FIG. 7) or Distribution Troughs 16 (FIG. 8)extending from two or more Solution Flow-out Holes 5 provided in thelower side of Container Main Body 2 and whose tips can touch the upperpart of the drainpipe or garbage basket. There are two or morerectangular Drainage Flow-in Holes 4 in the bottom of thecircumferential groove of the upper surface of Container Main Body 2.

The above Holder Troughs 14 may have a U shape only in the upper surfacefor easy drainage guiding, as shown in FIG. 7, or are flat plates asshown in FIG. 8. For the convenience of applying to inlet pipes andgarbage baskets of various diameters, it is preferable to make HolderTroughs 14 longer beforehand and to cut them to fit to the diameters.The said Distribution Pipes 15 and Troughs 16 are favorably made offlexible materials. Distribution Pipes 15 may be of bugle shape with thetip crushed or of a circular tube shape, as shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9shows a vertical cross-section of the key area, when this Slime Remover1 is applied to Garbage Basket 9 under Rubber Filter 8 at Kitchen SinkDrain Outlet 7. Distribution Pipes 15 and Troughs 16 are used in acondition that their tips are located lower than the base, as shown inFIG. 9.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide protrusions at the tips ofDistribution Pipes 15 and Troughs 16, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Withsuch Protrusions 17, when a slime remover of this type is set in agarbage basket, the container main body is pushed in a place a littlebelow the using position of the slime remover and then moved up to theusing position by elastic force or the like of the said Holder Trough14. Then, Protrusions 17 are held by the meshes of a garbage basket. Asa result, the tips of Distribution Pipes 15 or Troughs 16 are set moresecurely at a lower position than the base. FIG. 12 shows a verticalcross-section of the key area when a Slime Remover 1 having DistributionPipes 15 or Troughs 16 with Protrusions 17 is applied to Garbage Basket9 under Rubber Filter 8 at Kitchen Sink Drain Outlet 7.

FIG. 13 shows a Slime Remover 1 of the present invention that hasChemical Storage 13 in the periphery of Rubber Filter 18 at Kitchen SinkDrain Outlet 7. This Slime Remover 1 has more than one rectangularDrainage Flow-in Hole 4 in the peripheral upper surface of Rubber Filter18 and two or more circular Solution Flow-out Holes 5 in the peripheralbottom of Rubber Filter 18. FIG. 14 shows a vertical cross-section whenthis Slime Remover 1 with Chemical Storage 13 provided in the peripheryof Rubber Filter 18 and containing small granules of Chemical 6 isapplied to Kitchen Sink Drain Outlet 7.

In FIG. 15, a Slime Remover 1 of the present invention is shown that hasChemical Storage 13 in the side of the outer periphery of Rubber Filter18 at Kitchen Sink Drain Outlet 7. This Slime Remover 1 is provided withmore than one rectangular Drainage Flow-in Hole 4 in the outerperipheral edge of the upper surface of Rubber Filter 18, and with twoor more circular Solution Flow-out Holes 5 in the bottom of theperipheral edge and inner side. FIG. 16 shows a vertical cross-sectionwhen this Slime Remover 1, with more than one small granule of Chemical6 filled in a water-permeable tube and set in the inside of ChemicalStorage 13 provided in the outer peripheral side of Rubber Filter 18, isapplied to Kitchen Sink Drain Outlet 7. The Slime Remover 1 consistingof this Rubber Filter 18 particularly has more than one circularSolution Flow-out Hole 5 in the inner peripheral side of Rubber Filter18 so as to be able to prevent slime from generating, for example, onthe front and back surfaces of radially cut Rubber Filter 18.

FIG. 17 shows a Slime Remover 1 of the present invention, withring-shaped Chemical Storage 19 capable of fixing freely in the bottomof Rubber Filter 8 which is fixed to Rubber Filter 8 at Kitchen SinkDrain Outlet 7. The ring-shaped Chemical Storage 19 has more than onecircular Drainage Flow-in Hole 4 in the upper lid, and more than onecircular Solution Flow-out Hole 5 in the bottom of the storage mainbody. FIG. 18 shows a vertical cross-section when a Slime Remover 1,with the ring-shaped Chemical Storage 19 containing small granules ofChemical 6 in the storage main body which is set and fixed to the bottomof Rubber Filter 8, is applied to Kitchen Sink Drain Outlet 7.

FIG. 19 shows another form of a slime remover of the present invention,with a ring-shaped chemical storage capable of fixing freely in thebottom of Rubber Filter 8 and fixed to Rubber Filter 8 at the drainoutlet of a kitchen sink. Rubber Filter 8 has more than one rectangularDrainage Flow-in Hole 23 in the inner peripheral edge, more than oneSolution Flow-out Hole 24 in the inner side, and more than one HoldingTab 25 to engage and fix the chemical storage to the bottom of theperipheral outer edge. The ring-shaped chemical storage is composed of acontainer lid and Container Main Body 19. The container lid has DrainageFlow-in Slits 4 along the direction to the center of the sink drainoutlet (corresponding to the above rectangular Drainage Flow-in Holes23). Container Main Body 19 is equipped with Drainage Flow-in Slits 4(corresponding to the above rectangular Drainage Flow-in Holes 23)composing more than one slit aligned to the above Drainage Flow-in Slits4 and Solution Flow-out Holes/Exhausts 26 (corresponding to the aboveSolution Flow-out Holes 24) in the inner upper side, more than onecircular Solution Flow-out Hole 5 in the bottom, and more than oneLocating Socket 27 (corresponding to the above Holding Tab 25) in thebottom of the outer peripheral edge. More than one Solution Flow-outHole/Exhaust 26 provided in the inner upper side of the chemical storagelet a chemical-dissolved solution touch the front and back surfaces ofRubber Filter 8, and function as exhausts as well so that drainage flowsin smoothly. FIG. 20 is a rough vertical cross-section when the aboveslime remover, with a ring-shaped chemical storage storing smallgranules of Chemical 6 in the storage main body and engaged and fixed tothe inside of the bottom of Rubber Filter 8, is applied to the drainoutlet of a kitchen sink.

FIG. 21 shows a slime remover similar to that shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 22is an enlarged view of part of it. A slime remover of this type hasRubber Filter 8 to which a ring-shaped chemical storage capable offixing freely in the bottom of Rubber Filter 8 is fixed. Rubber Filter 8has more than one rectangular Drainage Flow-in Hole in the innerperipheral edge, more than one Solution Flow-out Hole in the inner side,and 3 pieces of Holding Tab 25′ to engage and fix the chemical storagein the bottom periphery of the inner side. The ring-shaped chemicalstorage, of which the lid and main body of the container are firmlyfixed together, has drainage flow-in slits composing more than one slitalong the direction towards the center of the inlet pipe and locating inplaces from the upper surface to the upper part of the inner side, atthe positions corresponding to the above rectangular drainage flow-inholes. It has also more than one circular Solution Flow-out Hole 5 inthe inner side, more than one Solution Flow-out Hole/Exhaust 26 in theouter side, more than one circular Solution Flow-out Hole 5 in thebottom, and more than one Solution Flow-out Hole/Exhaust 26′ in theouter side.

FIG. 23 shows a Slime Remover 1 of the present invention withring-shaped Chemical Storage 19 capable of fixing freely in the innerupper side of Rubber Filter 8 and fixed to Rubber Filter 8 at KitchenSink Drain Outlet 7. The ring-shaped Chemical Storage 19 has more thanone rectangular Drainage Flow-in Hole 4 in the upper surface of thefilter, and more than one circular Solution Flow-out Hole 5 in thebottom of the storage main body. Chemical Storage 19, fixed to theinside of the upper part of Rubber Filter 8, lets a chemical-dissolvedsolution touch the front and back surfaces of Rubber Filter 8. FIG. 24is a vertical cross-section when this Slime Remover 1, with ring-shapedChemical Storage 19 storing small granules of Chemical 6 in the storagemain body and engaged and fixed to the inside of the upper part ofRubber Filter 8, is applied to Kitchen Sink Drain Outlet 7.

FIG. 25 shows a Slime Remover 1 of the present invention applicable toinlet pipes and garbage baskets of various diameters. This Slime Remover1 consists of Container Main Body 2 of a ring shape as big as or smallerthan the diameter of an inlet pipe or garbage basket, 4 pieces of HolderTrough 14 that sit Container Main Body 2 at the upper part of the inletpipe or the basket and work as drainage guiding troughs as well, andmore than one Pointed Distribution Fine Rod 20 made of plastic or thelike, that are integrated in the vicinity of more than one circularSolution Flow-out Hole 5 in the bottom of Container Main Body 2 andwhose tips can touch the upper part of a drainpipe or garbage basket.There are two or more rectangular Drainage Flow-in Holes 4 in the bottomof the circumferential groove of the upper surface of Container MainBody 2. A chemical-dissolved solution from Solution Flow-out Holes 5 canreach the wall surface of the inlet pipe or garbage basket by travelingalong Pointed Distribution Fine Rods 20, because of its slow flowing-outspeed. Pointed Distribution Fine Rods 20 made of plastics or the likeare flexible so as to be able to touch the wall surface, even ifContainer Main Body 2 is smaller than the diameters of inlet pipes orgarbage baskets. Container Main Body 2, though not illustrated, isconstructed so that the upper and lower main bodies can be verticallyseparated into two. The space between the upper and lower main bodiesforms Chemical Storage 13 capable of storing Chemical 6. Furthermore,the above Holder Troughs 14 may have a U shape only in the upper surfaceso that drainage can be easily guided. FIG. 26 shows a verticalcross-section of the key area when this Slim Remover 1 is applied toGarbage Basket 9 under Rubber Filter 8 at Kitchen Sink Drain Outlet 7.As shown in FIG. 26, Pointed Distribution Fine Rods 20 are used in thecondition that their tips are located lower than the base.

FIG. 27 shows a Slime Remover 1 of the present invention applicable toinlet pipes and garbage baskets where it is difficult to installContainer Main Body 2 on their upper part. This Slime Remover 1 consistsof Container Main Body 2 of ring shape or the like, and 3 pieces ofinverted L-shaped Brackets 21 vertically fixed on Container Main Body 2and for fixing Container Main Body 2 to the top of an inlet pipe or agarbage basket. There are two or more rectangular Drainage Flow-in Holes4 in the mildly angled upper surface of Container Main Body 2 and two ormore circular Solution Flow-out Holes 5 in the lower side of ContainerMain Body 2. FIG. 28 shows a rough vertical cross-section of the keyarea when this Slime Remover 1 is applied to Garbage Basket 9 underRubber Filter 8 at Kitchen Sink Drain Outlet 7. This Slime Remover 1 canbe easily installed even if there are obstacles at an inlet pipe or atthe upper part of a garbage basket, such as Basket Handle 22, whileinstalling the remover. It is also possible to make Container Main Body2 of Slime Remover 1 a little smaller than the diameter of an inlet pipeor a garbage basket and to provide the above Pointed Distribution FineRods 20 made of plastic or the like in the vicinity of Solution Flow-outHoles 5.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of perspective view of a slimeremover of the present invention having plate-type holders.

FIG. 2 is a rough vertical cross-section when the slime remover of FIG.1 is applied to the drain outlet of a kitchen sink.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of perspective view of a conventionalrubber filter.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of perspective view of a slimeremover of the present invention having a rim.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of perspective view of a slimeremover of the present invention with a chemical storage provided inpart of the ring.

FIG. 6 is a rough vertical cross-section when the slime remover of FIG.5 is applied to the drain outlet of a kitchen sink.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of perspective view of a slimeremover of the present invention having distribution pipes.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of perspective view of a slimeremover of the present invention having distribution troughs.

FIG. 9 is a rough vertical cross-section of the key area when the slimeremover of FIG. 7 or 8 is applied to the drain outlet of a kitchen sink.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of perspective view of a slimeremover of the present invention having distribution pipes withprotrusions.

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of perspective view of a slimeremover of the present invention having distribution troughs withprotrusions.

FIG. 12 is a rough vertical cross-section of the key area when the slimeremover of FIG. 10 or 11 is applied to the drain outlet of a kitchensink.

FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of perspective view of a slimeremover of the present invention with a chemical storage provided in theperiphery of a rubber filter.

FIG. 14 is a rough vertical cross-section when the slime remover of FIG.13 is applied to the drain outlet of a kitchen sink.

FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of perspective view of a slimeremover of the present invention with a chemical storage provided in theouter peripheral side of a rubber filter.

FIG. 16 is a rough vertical cross-section when the slime remover of FIG.15 is applied to the drain outlet of a kitchen sink.

FIG. 17 is a schematic illustration of perspective view of a slimeremover of the present invention with a ring-shaped chemical storagefreely applicable to the bottom of a rubber filter.

FIG. 18 is a rough vertical cross-section when the slime remover of FIG.17 is applied to the drain outlet of a kitchen sink.

FIG. 19 is a schematic illustration of perspective view of another typeof a slime remover of the present invention with a ring-shaped chemicalstorage freely applicable to the bottom of a rubber filter.

FIG. 20 is a rough vertical cross-section when the slime remover of FIG.19 is applied to the drain outlet of a kitchen sink.

FIG. 21 is a schematic illustration of perspective view of another typeof a slime remover of the present invention with a ring-shaped chemicalstorage freely applicable to the bottom of a rubber filter.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of part of the slime remover of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a schematic illustration of perspective view of a slimeremover of the present invention with a ring-shaped chemical storagefreely applicable to the upper part of a rubber filter.

FIG. 24 is a vertical cross-section when the slime remover of FIG. 23 isapplied to the drain outlet of a kitchen sink.

FIG. 25 is a schematic illustration of perspective view of a slimeremover of the present invention having pointed distribution fine rods.

FIG. 26 is a rough vertical cross-section of the key area when the slimeremover of FIG. 25 is applied to the drain outlet of a kitchen sink.

FIG. 27 is a schematic illustration of perspective view of a slimeremover of the present invention having inverted L-shaped brackets.

FIG. 28 is a rough vertical cross-section of the key area when the slimeremover of FIG. 27 is applied to the drain outlet of a kitchen sink.

Legends

-   1. Slime remover-   2. Container main body-   3. Holder-   4. Drainage flow-in hole-   5. Solution flow-out hole-   6. Chemical-   7. Kitchen sink drain outlet-   8. Rubber filter-   9. Garbage basket-   10. Center-   11. Circular hole-   12. Rim-   13. Chemical storage-   14. Holder trough-   15. Distribution pipe-   16. Distribution trough-   17. Protrusion-   18. Rubber filter (chemical storing type)-   19. Chemical storage-   20. Pointed distribution fine rod-   21. Inverted L-shaped bracket-   22. Basket handle-   23. Rubber filter drainage flow-in hole-   24. Rubber filter solution flow-out hole-   25 (25′). Holding tab-   26 (26′). Solution flow-out/exhaust-   27. Locating socket    Best Form to Implement the Invention

The present invention is described concretely in reference to Examples.The present invention is not however limited to these examples.

EXAMPLE 1

The dispersibility of a chemical-dissolved solution was tested using aslime remover shown in FIG. 3 (24 drainage flow-in holes of 4 mm indiameter, 12 solution flow-out holes of 2.4 mm×1 mm, and 20 ml of water,the maximum volume the container can hold, flowing out in 20 seconds). Atest chemical was prepared in the way that the following ingredients,which are pharmaceutical testing chemicals and are regarded to be stablein terms of color elution, were mixed to make tablets by a manual,oil-pressure tablet machine owned by the investors' institute in orderto understand the dispersibility of the chemical solution. Acommercially available container for storing a slime remover of chlorinetype was hung by a string for the use as a comparative example.

[Chemical Composition]

84.5% of lactose, 10% of hydroxypropyl cellulose, 5% of color index acidblue 9, and 0.5% of magnesium stearate

[Tableting Conditions]

Pressure: 25 kg/cm² (gauge pressure)

Die and chemical weight: 11 mm in diameter (0.5 g), 30 mm in diameter(12 g)

[Chemicals Used]

Example: 26 disc-type tablets of 11 mm in diameter are stored. (Chemicalweight: 0.5 g×26 tablets=13 g)

Comparative Example: 1 disc-type tablet of 30 mm in diameter is stored.(Chemical weight: 12 g)

Test conditions were that a kitchen sink made by Mikado Co., Ltd. with alarge sink drain outlet was installed, a transparent PVC plate wasapplied so as to make drainage observation easy, the slime remover ofthe present invention or a dissolution container of Comparative Examplefor DICHLOTOP was set, a rubber filter was placed, and tap water flowedat a rate of about 6L/min. The dispersibility of the solutionscontaining color matter was observed in garbage baskets. It was foundthat, with the slime remover of the present invention, the chemicaldispersed all over the garbage basket. With the remover of ComparativeExample, the chemical partially touched only the bottom of thedissolution container, because of a string-hanging type.

EXAMPLE 2

Pressure-molded, solid chemicals of 10 mm in diameter were preparedaccording to the conditions described below. 24 of them were placed inthe container of the slime remover shown in FIG. 21 that had a radiallycut rubber filter with a chemical storage [container drainage flow-inhole: 6 drainage flow-in slits consisting of 6 slits of 1.5 mm wide and10 mm long (upper surface 7 mm and upper part of inner side 3 mm), andcontainer solution flow-out hole: 9 holes of 3 mm in diameter in thebottom, 6 holes of 1.5 mm wide×5 mm long in the upper part of the innerside and 6 holes of 2 mm wide×3 mm long in the upper part of the outerside]. The slime remover of the present invention was installed in ahousehold kitchen sink for 2 months for a monitoring test. It wasconfirmed that no garbage entered into the container, and slime wasprevented from generating on the garbage filter, garbage basket, theinner surface of the drainpipe and the like, over the 2 months.

(Chemical Composition and Others)

A mixture of 5 parts by weight of TEP-CMI [a clathrate compound preparedby the reaction between 2 moles of5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one as a guest antimicrobial agentand 1 mole of 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane as amulti-molecular host compound] and 95 parts by weight ofacetoacetate-o-toluidide as a base material was placed in a continuousoil-pressure tablet machine with dies of 10 mm in diameter and tabletsof 3 g in weight were made under pressure of 1 t/cm².

EXAMPLE 3

(Preparation of Samples)

Each of the samples of cylindrically molded products of 10 mm indiameter was prepared by pressure molding from each of the mixtures ofblending ratios shown in Table 1. In Table 1, “TEP-CMI” refers to aclathrate compound prepared by the reaction between 2 moles of5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one as a guest antimicrobial agentand 1 mole of 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane as amulti-molecular host compound; “Bronopol” is an antimicrobial agent,2-bromo-2-nitropropan-1,3-diol; “TIAA” is 2,3,3-triiodoallyl alcohol,and “HPC” is a binder, hydroxypropyl cellulose.

TABLE 1 Sam- Sam- Sam- Sam- Sam- Sam- Sam- Sam- Sam- Sam- ple 1 ple 2ple 3 ple 4 ple 5 ple 6 ple 7 ple 8 ple 1* ple 2* Benzoic acid 95CaSO_(□)0.5H₂O 60 80 35 Acetoacetate- 95 55 o-toluidide Acetoacetate- 90p-toluidide Acetoacetate- 85 o-anicidide Sorbitol 98 Lactose 22 47 35TEP-CMI 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 Bronopol 10 TIAA 10 Trichloro- 99 isocyanuric acidSodium dichloro- isocyanurate HPC 8 10 8 10 5 Lauric 2 2 3 3 acid powderStearic 3 acid powder Calcium 0.2 0.2 0.1 1 stearate Tabletability ∘ ∘ ∘∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ Dissolution 6.1 5 1 11 12 7 5 7 7 8 rate Bleaching ∘ ∘ ∘ ∘∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ x powder smell Danger with ∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ x x Cl detergentAmount of ∘ ∘ ∘ ∘ □ ∘ ∘ □ ∘ ∘ slime attached *Samples for comparison(Tableting and Disintegration Tests)

A continuous oil-pressure tablet machine with dies of 10 mm in diameterwas installed and tablets were made under heavy pressure of 1 t/cm². Atest for “tabletability” was carried out in regard to split, capping,glazability, adhesion and other properties. All the samples were ratedas “o” in the tabletability evaluation. None of them were bad intableting. A tablet of each of the molded samples was placed in a 200-mlplastic cup, and 200 ml of distilled water was added. It was left atroom temperature for 24 hours to examine the disintegration of themolded. None of the samples were disintegrated.

(Solubility Tests)

A tablet of a molded product was placed in a commercially availablecontainer for storing a slime removing agent. The container with thetablet was set by hanging with a string in water at the depth of 25 to29 cm in a commercially available pipette cleaner of 18 cm in diameterand 58 cm deep (amount of cleaning water: 14.75 L, temperature ofcleaning water: 35 to 40° C., cleaning water contacting time: 3 minutes,and cleaning interval: 6.6 minutes/time). It was cleaned continuouslyand the dissolving rate was measured. The figures in Table 1 show timesuntil the molded products were completely dissolved.

(Performance Tests)

Each sample (molded product) was placed in a commercially availablecontainer for storing a slime removing agent. The container was hookedto fix with a string to the drain outlet of a general household kitchen.The odor (bleaching powder smell) and degree of slime attached whileusing were examined visually a month later. The results are shown inTable 1. As seen from Table 1, none of the samples except that ofComparative Example 2, had bleaching powder smell. As for the amount ofslime attached after a month, the evaluation was “□” for the sample ofExample 5 and a slight amount of slime attached was observed. Theevaluations for the others were “o” and no attachment of slime wasobserved.

(Tests on Chlorine Gas Generation when Mixing with HypochloriteDetergents)

One gram of a sample was placed in a 100-ml beaker, and 100 ml ofdistilled water was added. The sample-dissolved solution was measured pHby a pH meter. A pH below 5 was a yardstick to judge that samples wouldgenerate chlorine gas when mixing with commercially availablehypochlorite detergents. The results are shown in Table 1 as the dangerwith Cl detergent. As seen from Table 1, the evaluations of the samplesof the examples were “o”, and there was no fear of generating chlorinegas.

(Disintegration Tests of Clathrate Compounds when they were Used:Elution Tests of Antimicrobial Agents from Clathrate Compounds)

To examine the effect of base materials on the stability of clathratecompounds, disintegration tests on the following clathrate compoundswere carried out. One gram of each of various bases shown in Table 2 and98 g of distilled water were placed in a 200-ml beaker, and stirred witha magnetic stirrer for 3 hours to dissolve up to saturation. Then, 1 gof the said TEP-CMI was added as a clathrate compound, and stirred witha magnetic stirrer for 24 hours. The resulting solution was filtratedthrough a 0.2 μmembrane filter. The amount of the antimicrobial agenteluted from the clathrate compound was measured. Water with no basematerial added was used as a blank. Table 2 shows the results. In Table2, “clathrate disintegration (%)” refers to an elution rate of theantimicrobial agent from the clathrate compound. As seen from Table 2,the base materials used in the present invention let the clathratecompound disintegrate approximately as quickly as the blank sample did.Polyethylene oxide used for a comparison caused the disintegration ofthe clathrate compound at a higher rate. From the viewpoint of theclathrate disintegration rate, the base materials used in the presentinvention were found to be better.

TABLE 2 Base materials of the present invention Comparison CaSO₄Acetoacetate- Acetoacetate- Polyethylene 0.5 H₂O o-toluidide o-anilideSorbitol Lactose glycol* Blank Clathrate 21 21 22 21 18 93 21disintegra- tion (%)Applicability in Industry:

The drain slime removers of the present invention can be easilyinstalled in the upper parts of inlet pipes and are excellent in safetyand handling. From a container storing a slime preventing/removingagent, an agent-dissolved solution can spread over the wall surface of adrainpipe. Because the opening areas of both drainage flow-in holes andsolution flow-out holes are adjusted, only a minimum amount of waterrequired is taken in the inside of the container while drainage isflowing. A chemical-dissolved solution flows out from the container evenafter water has finished draining. When a conventional basket-typecontainer is used, most of the chemical flows out together with drainageso that the agent can not stay long enough on the slime contaminatedportion, having no effect on removing slime. Contrary to this, with thedrain slime removers of the present invention, a chemical-dissolvedsolution, which is not diluted with draining water, contacts slimecontaminated portions for a long period of time. Therefore, a smallamount of chemical efficiently prevents slime from generating, and animpact on the environment is small even if a chlorine-type chemical isused, thanks to a very small volume of chemical flowing out in drainage.Besides, the active ingredient dissolves at an appropriate rate, so thatslime is not only removed but also prevented from generating for a longtime, when a remover is installed in a place where slime is generated bymetabolites of miscellaneous germs, mildews and the like, such as thedrain outlets of kitchen sinks and bathrooms.

The slime preventing/removing agents of the present invention have noneof the problems of chlorine smell and corrosion, are excellent in safetyand handling, and make it possible to let active ingredients dissolvestably.

1. A slime preventing/removing agent for a drain in kitchen sinks andbathrooms, wherein the microorganism growth retardant substance is aslime preventing/removing agent comprising: an antimicrobial agent ofnon-bleaching powder, which is a clathrate compound comprising anantimicrobial agent and a multi-molecular host compound, which ispressure molded together with one or more base materials selected fromcalcium sulfate hemi-hydrate, acetoacetate-o-toluidide,acetoacetate-p-toluidide, and acetoacetate-o-anicidide.
 2. The slimepreventing/removing agent according to claim 1, in which themulti-molecular host compound is one or more compounds selected from thegroup consisting of the following compounds: (1) tetrakisphenols (2)1,1,6,6-tetraphenyl-2,4-hexadiyn-1,6-diol, (3)1,6-bis(2-chlorophenyl)1,6-diphenylhexan-2,4-diyn-1,6-diol, (4)1,1,4,4-tetraphenyl-2-butyn-1,4-diol, (5)2,5-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)hydroquinone, (6)1,1-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2-propyn-1-ol, (7)1,1,2,2-tetraphenylethan-1,2-diol, (8) 1,1-bi-2-naphthol, (9)9,10-diphenyl-9,10-dihydroxyanthracene, (10)1,1,6,6-tetra(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-2,4-hexadiyn-1,6-diol, (11)9,10-bis(4-methylphenyl)-9,10-dihydroxyanthracene, (12)1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane, (13)N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(cyclohexyl)-(1,1′-biphenyl)-2,2′-dicarboxyamide, (14)4,4′-sulfonylbisphenol, (15)4,4′-butylidenebis(3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), (16)2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), (17)4,4′-thiobis(4-chlorophenol), (18) 2,2′-methylenebis(4-chlorophenol),(19) deoxycholic acid, (20) cholic acid, (21)α,α,α′,α′-tetraphenyl-1,1′-biphenyl-2,2′-dimethanol, (22)t-butylhydroquinone, (23) 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, (24) granularcorn starch, (25) 1,4-diazabicyclo-(2,2,2)-octane.
 3. The slimepreventing/removing agent according to claim 1, in which theantimicrobial agent of non-bleaching powder type is5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one.
 4. The slime preventing/removingagent according to claim 2, in which the antimicrobial agent ofnon-bleaching powder type is 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one. 5.The slime preventing/removing agent according to claim 1, in which theantimicrobial agent of non-bleaching powder type is an organic iodineantimicrobial agent.
 6. The slime preventing/removing agent according toclaim 1, in which calcium sulfate hemi-hydrate is β-type calcium sulfatehemi-hydrate.
 7. The slime preventing/removing agent according to claim2, in which calcium sulfate hemi-hydrate is β-type calcium sulfatehemi-hydrate.
 8. The slime preventing/removing agent according to claim3, in which calcium sulfate hemi-hydrate is β-type calcium sulfatehemi-hydrate.
 9. The slime preventing/removing agent according to claim4 in which calcium sulfate hemi-hydrate is β-type calcium sulfatehemi-hydrate.
 10. The slime preventing/removing agent according to claim5, in which calcium sulfate hemi-hydrate is β-type calcium sulfatehemi-hydrate.
 11. The slime preventing/removing agent according to claim1, in which the slime preventing/removing agent contains a C₁₄ to C₂₄saturated fatty acid as a dissolution regulator, said C₁₄ to C₂₄saturated fatty acid being one of a stearic acid and a lauric acid. 12.The slime preventing/removing agent according to claim 2, in which theslime preventing/removing agent contains a C₁₄ to C₂₄ saturated fattyacid as a dissolution regulator, said C₁₄ to C₂₄ saturated fatty acidbeing one of a stearic acid and a lauric acid.
 13. The slimepreventing/removing agent according to claim 3, in which the slimepreventing/removing agent contains a C₁₄ to C₂₄ saturated fatty acid asa dissolution regulator, said C₁₄ to C₂₄ saturated fatty acid being oneof a stearic acid and a lauric acid.
 14. The slime preventing/removingagent according to claim 4, in which the slime preventing/removing agentcontains a C₁₄ to C₂₄ saturated fatty acid as a dissolution regulator,said C₁₄ to C₂₄ saturated fatty acid being one of a stearic acid and alauric acid.
 15. The slime preventing/removing agent according to claim5, in which the slime preventing/removing agent contains a C₁₄ to C₂₄saturated fatty acid as a dissolution regulator, said C₁₄ to C₂₄saturated fatty acid being one of a stearic acid and a lauric acid. 16.The slime preventing/removing agent according to claim 6, in which theslime preventing/removing agent contains a C₁₄ to C₂₄ saturated fattyacid as a dissolution regulator, said C₁₄ to C₂₄ saturated fatty acidbeing one of a stearic acid and a lauric acid.
 17. The slimepreventing/removing agent according to claim 7, in which the slimepreventing/removing agent contains a C₁₄ to C₂₄ saturated fatty acid asa dissolution regulator, said C₁₄ to C₂₄ saturated fatty acid being oneof a stearic acid and a lauric acid.
 18. The slime preventing/removingagent according to claim 8, in which the slime preventing/removing agentcontains a C₁₄ to C₂₄ saturated fatty acid as a dissolution regulator,said C₁₄ to C₂₄ saturated fatty acid being one of a stearic acid and alauric acid.
 19. The slime preventing/removing agent according to claim9, in which the slime preventing/removing agent contains a C₁₄ to C₂₄saturated fatty acid as a dissolution regulator, said C₁₄ to C₂₄saturated fatty acid being one of a stearic acid and a lauric acid. 20.The slime preventing/removing agent according to claim 10, in which theslime preventing/removing agent contains a C₁₄ to C₂₄ saturated fattyacid as a dissolution regulator, said C₁₄ to C₂₄ saturated fatty acidbeing one of a stearic acid and a lauric acid.
 21. The slimepreventing/removing agent according to claim 1, in which the moldedproduct is a tablet and the maximum length of the tablet is 15 mm orshorter.
 22. The slime preventing/removing agent according to claim 2,in which the molded product is a tablet and the maximum length of thetablet is 15 mm or shorter.
 23. The slime preventing/removing agentaccording to claim 3, in which the molded product is a tablet and themaximum length of the tablet is 15 mm or shorter.
 24. The slimepreventing/removing agent according to claim 4, in which the moldedproduct is a tablet and the maximum length of the tablet is 15 mm orshorter.
 25. The slime preventing/removing agent according to claim 5,in which the molded product is a tablet and the maximum length of thetablet is 15 mm or shorter.
 26. The slime preventing/removing agentaccording to claim 6, in which the molded product is a tablet and themaximum length of the tablet is 15 mm or shorter.
 27. The slimepreventing/removing agent according to claim 7, in which the moldedproduct is a tablet and the maximum length of the tablet is 15 mm orshorter.
 28. The slime preventing/removing agent according to claim 8,in which the molded product is a tablet and the maximum length of thetablet is 15 mm or shorter.
 29. The slime preventing/removing agentaccording to claim 9, in which the molded product is a tablet and themaximum length of the tablet is 15 mm or shorter.
 30. The slimepreventing/removing agent according to claim 10, in which the moldedproduct is a tablet and the maximum length of the tablet is 15 mm orshorter.
 31. The slime preventing/removing agent according to claim 11,in which the molded product is a tablet and the maximum length of thetablet is 15 mm or shorter.
 32. The slime preventing/removing agentaccording to claim 12, in which the molded product is a tablet and themaximum length of the tablet is 15 mm or shorter.
 33. The slimepreventing/removing agent according to claim 13, in which the moldedproduct is a tablet and the maximum length of the tablet is 15 mm orshorter.
 34. The slime preventing/removing agent according to claim 14,in which the molded product is a tablet and the maximum length of thetablet is 15 mm or shorter.
 35. The slime preventing/removing agentaccording to claim 15, in which the molded product is a tablet and themaximum length of the tablet is 15 mm or shorter.
 36. The slimepreventing/removing agent according to claim 16, in which the moldedproduct is a tablet and the maximum length of the tablet is 15 mm orshorter.
 37. The slime preventing/removing agent according to claim 17,in which the molded product is a tablet and the maximum length of thetablet is 15 mm or shorter.
 38. The slime preventing/removing agentaccording to claim 18, in which the molded product is a tablet and themaximum length of the tablet is 15 mm or shorter.
 39. The slimepreventing/removing agent according to claim 19, in which the moldedproduct is a tablet and the maximum length of the tablet is 15 mm orshorter.
 40. The slime preventing/removing agent according to claim 20,in which the molded product is a tablet and the maximum length of thetablet is 15 mm or shorter.
 41. A slime removing method comprising:using a nonwoven fabric bag or a holed plastic film bag, that containsthe small slime preventing/removing agent according to any one of claims21, 22 to 26, 27 to 31 and 32 to 40 or a flexible tape-shaped materialcarrying the small preventing/removing agents, and fixing said bag onthe surface or upper surface of slime contaminated wall, and thesolution of the slime preventing/removing agent spreads over the wall.